By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Matthew 2:11 “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother and fell down and worshiped him and when they had opened their treasures they presented unto him gifts gold, Frankincense.“

As we celebrate Christmas, we should always recognize that it is a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness of the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s the easiest way to evangelize and share the message of salvation, especially as many people come together to acknowledge that Jesus was born as a gift to the world. Christmas provides a wonderful avenue to discuss why He was born and why everyone should accept Him. Therefore, evangelism should be an integral part of our Christmas plan so we can spread the love of Jesus.

Exploring the biblical account, we find that the first individuals who became aware of Jesus’ birth were wise men from the East. They followed a special star that led them to where Jesus was born in a manger. It’s crucial to note that this isn’t a matter of astronomy or observing regular stars in the constellation. Regular stars can’t guide someone to a specific house or spot. The star that led the wise men was extraordinary, coming so close that they could follow it precisely to the exact house where Jesus was born.

LED BY GOD TO JESUS

The wise men didn’t just decide to visit Jesus on their own. They were guided by a special star that God placed to lead them to Him. Additionally, they had a revelation about this child King. In Matthew 2:2, they asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him”. The angels also revealed to them who Jesus is. The entire revelation surrounding the birth of Jesus was supernatural because His birth itself was a supernatural event.

Luke 2:8-15 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

In contrast, there was another person who heard about Jesus, but not through a heavenly revelation. Instead, he heard about Jesus from wise men, from flesh and blood. Unlike the wise men, there was no guiding star leading him to Jesus. He didn’t know who Jesus was or where He could be found. His heart was driven by selfish motives, and he sought to know Jesus for personal gain. Unfortunately, his spiritual eyes were blinded. This serves as a cautionary example that those who seek Jesus solely for miracles and selfish ends often fail to truly know Him because their focus is not on understanding Him.

Matthew 2:3-8 “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”

True Christmas begins with a revelation of who Jesus is. Without this understanding, we cannot approach Him and truly worship Him. Only the Holy Spirit can unveil Jesus to sincere seekers, not the Herods of this world. Knowing Jesus is always a supernatural revelation, never stemming from mere flesh and blood.

Matthew 16:15-17 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

Authentic Christmas is distinguished by the act of worshiping the King, acknowledging and revering the true significance of the birth of Jesus. It goes beyond the external celebrations and traditions, focusing on a deep, heartfelt adoration of the divine King who came into the world. This worship involves recognizing the supernatural nature of Christ’s birth and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal His true identity to those who seek Him genuinely. In essence, a genuine Christmas experience is marked by profound worship directed towards the King, guided by the spiritual revelation of His divine nature.

Matthew 2:9-11 “When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

In the above passage, it is important to notice the absence of choirs and music during their worship of Jesus. Instead, they simply bowed before the King, presenting Him with their most precious treasures. True worship, as exemplified here, involves bowing to the Lordship of Jesus. It emanates from a heart that genuinely knows the Lord and recognizes Him as King, demonstrating a profound understanding. Upon encountering the infant King Jesus, their immediate response was worship. Despite having valuable gifts for the baby, they prioritized worship over presenting gifts. This underscores the importance of maintaining a continual life of worship in the presence of Jesus. The Scriptures, being a comprehensive guide, instruct us on how to worship Jesus. As believers, we possess clear guidance on the art of worshiping Him.

Romans 12:1-2, And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Paul encourages us, believers to dedicate ourselves wholly to God, presenting our lives as a living sacrifice. This act of surrender is a form of worship. The passage also advises against conforming to the values and behaviors of the world but instead admonishes for a transformation through the renewal of the mind. The renewed mind, in alignment with God’s will, allows believers to discern and follow what is good, pleasing, and perfect in the eyes of God. Not conforming to the standard of the world is an act of worship. Lack of understanding about the Lord leads to misguided worship, lacking in true reverence for Him. Instead, it becomes self-centered and deeply rooted in self-worship. This heart posture resists Jesus’ reign over one’s life, bringing dishonor to His name, and showing a disregard for His authority. The scriptures vividly describe this in the verse below.

Matt 15:8-9 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.”

In conclusion, just as the star guided the wise men to the Christ child, we too are called to seek a deeper understanding of Him always but especially during this Christmas season. Let us not get lost in the hustle and bustle of festivities, but rather, open our hearts to the supernatural revelation of Jesus’ birth. May this Christmas be marked by genuine worship, offering not just gifts, but our very lives to the King who came into the world and gave up his life for us all. Through a renewed understanding and a life of dedication, let us honor His name and spread the true message of Christmas: love, hope, and the joy of salvation. Let the spirit of giving extend beyond material things, spilling over into acts of kindness and compassion that reflect the light of Christ in our everyday lives. In this way, we can make this Christmas not just a season of celebration, but a transformative journey towards a deeper connection with the divine. Remember, true Christmas begins with a revelation, and the greatest gift we can receive is the realization of His love and presence in our lives.

Merry Christmas and may the light of Christ continue to shine brightly within you all year round!